Save Your Dates for ICOM-ASPAC Annual Events in Malaysia in May 2026

In collaboration between ICOM-ASPAC, ICOM Malaysia and Muzium Pahang. ICOM-ASPAC (Asia Pacific Regional Alliance) will hold its 2026 annual meeting and symposium in Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia from 17 to 20 May 2026.

It is our pleasure to invite you to participate in this significant gathering of the ICOM-ASPAC Board and the 23 ICOM National Committees in our region. Please save your dates for these events!

In this regard it is for your kind information that Laishun An, Chairperson of ICOM-ASPAC, sent an email, on 27 March 2026, to the national committees of this region mentioning details of the event.

Programme at a Glance:

17 May (Sunday)
• Arrival of participants

18 May (Monday)
• ICOM-ASPAC 2026 Annual Meeting in the morning (this meeting only opens for ICOM-ASPAC Board members and Chairs of ASPAC National Committees or their designated representatives)
• Cultural Visits in Pekan in the afternoon
• Book Launch Ceremony in the evening

19 May (Tuesday)
• ICOM-ASPAC Symposium (Hybrid) whole day
Theme: “Uniting Multi-Cultural Asia Pacific through Museums: Diversity as Rich Heritage Assets in the Region”
Note: Call for Papers opens on 27 March and closes on 12 April 2026 (Please see the Call for Papers attached to this email): https://icom-aspac.mini.icom.museum/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/04/Call-for-Papers-update-20260408-1.pdf
• ICOM-ASPAC Official Dinner in the evening.

20 May (Wednesday)
• Visits to Natural Art & Club Med, Cherating, Kuantan for cultural activities Kuantan

21 May (Thursday)
• Departure of participants

Call for Papers for the Symposium:
Call for Papers for the symposium opens on 27 March and closes on 12 April 2026 (Please see the Call for Papers here: https://icom-aspac.mini.icom.museum/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/04/Call-for-Papers-update-20260408-1.pdf

Financial Arrangements:

Registration Fee: There is no Registration Fee requested, but registration is necessary. The registration link will be available shortly.

Travel Grants: A limited offer for Travel Grants is available from ICOM-ASPAC budget based on relevant criteria and assessment processes defined by ICOM-ASPAC Board (Please see the Call for Applications – Travel Grants, and Travel Grant Application Form attached to this email).

Hospitalities Offered by from the Local Organizers

For ICOM-ASPAC Board Members planning to attend in person, accommodation and local transportation will be funded by ICOM Malaysia and Muzium Pahang.

Contact Information:
• Submission of papers: Ana Maria Theresa P. Labrador, Vice Chair of ASPAC (ana.labrador@unimelb.edu.au)
• Travel grant applications: Blaise Kilian, Treasurer of ASPAC (blaise.kilian@gmail.com)
• Accommodations: Hanze Song, Assistant Secretary to ASPAC (icomaspac@oa.shu.edu.cn)
• Other organizational matters: Akiko Fukuno, Secretary of ASPAC (fukuno@icu.ac.jp)
• Local organisational affairs: Sitti Rabia, Assistant Secretary ICOM Malaysia (sittirabia@jmm.gov.my)

We are looking forward to welcoming you all in Malaysia in the May.